Exploring Chicago Graffiti:
A Closer Look at Art Crimes
By: Theresa, Julie, and John
DePaul University
Throw Up The picture to the right is a throw up, which is between a tag and a piece, in terms of detail. It is more detailed than a tag because the lettering takes longer and the design concept has to be thought out before it is put up. A throw up is simpler than a piece; however, because of the size. It is much smaller than a piece. Also the colors are not as developed and detailed. While it should be created before it is put up, throw ups are a simple way to demonstrate artisitic style. |
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Sign Painting This concept is known as sign painting. Sign painting basically means painting signs with graffiti for different businesses, stores, and even programs such as Aids Awareness. The writer usually gets paid cash, and others get paid in paint or spray paint. Either way, the writer is making money, and showing off his work. This picture illustrates a sign painting advertising “Garcia’s Auto Parts” on a white wall. The sign consists of bright oranges and purples and clearly jumps out at the customers. Many writers feel that sign painting is unoriginal and in a way fraud like. (Ferrel 92) |
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Mural A mural is a large picture, also known as a piece. Like tagging, it developed along various lines of interaction and cooperation. Writers together draw on hip-hop and other cultural resources in evolving lettering styles and images for their pieces. It has a background and a focus and they are usually very colorful. There are many layers that add depth to the artwork. This one was done by a twelve year old boy in Hype Park. At a young age, he is developing his own style of art. |
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Gang Graffiti Gang graffiti constitutes for about five to ten percent of all graffiti. It is the most concerning to authorities. It is considered a threat to both residents of the community in which it is found and to rival gangs. Gang graffiti promotes violence and is the most common way for gangs to communicate their messages and mark their territory. It is usually inartistic and not thought out. As you can see, it is mainly writing and symbols only understood by people with knowledge of gang graffiti. |
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Tag A tag is the simplest and most common form of graffit. They are easy to create and take little or no time at all. Tags promote writers and establish their identiy. Tags are basically meaningful to only the writers, and not to the general public. This form of graffiti may be considered vandalism because they are often on private and public property such as dumpsters, homes, and street signs. |
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Tribute Graffiti is a form of honoring. Writers may create a mural or a piece as a tribute to someone or something. Harold Washington, to some, is considered the most influential mayor Chicago has ever had. Writers have expressed their appreciation and admiration towards him by creating this mural with his portrait. This piece has decorated the city for years. By never having been taken down or written over, it shows how respected he is, and what he meant to the community. |
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| Theresa
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For my photo-essay, I concentrated on the positive and negative aspects
of graffiti. The popularity of graffiti in the early 1980’s brought
about a new avocation, a new culture, and a new form of art. There are
so many different kinds of graffiti and everyone had their own style.
What was created was a form of expression. Writers painted cities all
over, beautiful pieces and murals were composed, and a canvas was made
from any wall in sight. Graffiti brought about a sense of excitement
for writers and a sense of worriment for city officials. In cities where
graffiti flourished, residents did not completely view it as a problem,
but as part of the community, a way of distinguishing it. Campaigns
and programs were developed in an attempt to bring graffiti to a halt.
Some cities also released distorted information to its residents in
hopes of getting them involved. But through all the programs, campaigns
and information, the true and favorable side of graffiti was hidden.
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Julie
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I did my photo essay on the
similarities and differences of gang and hip-hip graffiti. Graffiti
is done by two primary groups of people, hip-hop artists and gang members.
There are several keys points that differentiate the two. The writer’s
intention for hip-hop is self-expression while gangs do graffiti to
intimidate other gangs. The location is usually different as well. Hip-hop
graffiti can be seen on very visible public surfaces to show off their
talent; however, gang graffiti is usually placed on surfaces where they
know other gangs will see it. Also the physical visual style is different.
Hip-hop graffiti is usually done in bold colors with intricate detailing
of the letters and shading. They want to have respect like any other
form of art. Gang graffiti demands respect as well, but it’s of
a different nature. They want others to be afraid of them and graffiti
is a means of intimidation. Even though gang and hip-hop graffiti may
both seem like writing on a wall, they have distinctions that keep them
unique from one another. |
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John
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My photo essay is basically about whether
graffiti is an art or a crime. People all over the world use graffiti
to express their feelings and thoughts. Graffiti art is basically pieces
and murals because they are well planned, consist of many colors, layers,
and clearly need a person with a special talent to be completed. On
the other hand, tags and some throw ups are considered vandalism. Mainly
gang graffiti is the center of vandalism, but tags on buildings, garbage
cans, and street signs are vandalism as well and this is happening all
over Chicago. Graffiti is considered both art and vandalism but the
destruction has to be put to an end, and focus on the art. |
| Theresa
Picture from: <www.junction-city.com/localheroes/ SWyouth.asp> |
I have completed
my service hours at Southwest Youth Collaborative at 6400 Kedzie. At
my service site, I have taken graffiti classes and helped record data,
and other things they needed me to help with. Overall, my service hours
were awesome. It was great seeing people who volunteered their time,
and who are completely dedicated about hip-hop and today’s youth.
It was neat being exposed to things I don’t see everyday, and
helping kids learn, and having myself learn as well. It was great being
a part of Southwest Youth Collaborative, and I would suggest it to anyone
interest in service hours or hip hop. |
Julie
Picture from <www.horizonmag.com/6/hiphop.asp> |
My service
site was Senn High School. We met every Monday and Wednesday from 6:00-8:00
in the evening. During this time, the high school aged children were
able to practice on their break-dancing skills. Inside the gymnasium
were about twenty kids, a handful of older dancers, and four of us volunteers.
The older dancers were in their twenties and would advise the younger
group and help them perfect their moves. Everyone was an individual,
with their own unique style. Two boys especially, Omar and Tanson, helped
me to become a break-dancer. I practiced with them and learned a lot
of new things about this form of dance by being involved. By allowing
them to teach me something, they were gaining interpersonal skills,
and their confidence noticeably grew. It was a wonderful learning experience
for them, as well as myself. |
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John
Picture from <www.horizonmag.com/6/hiphop.asp>
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The Universty of Hip Hop
is a wonderful organization for all kids from the ages of five to twenty
five years old. The service site that I attended is called the Southwest
Youth Collaborative, also known as the headquarters of the University
of Hip Hop. It is located off 6400 S. Kedzie. The unique organization
inlcudes all five elements of hip hop. These elements are known as Emceeing,
D-Jaying, Writing, Dancing, and the rest that holds them altogether,
Knowledge. After attending the Southwest Youth Collaborative serveral
times, I have learned the programs objectives, witnessed beautiful art
covering wall to wall, and have met influential people of all races
and ages. |
Theresa |
My name is Theresa
and I am a freshman at DePaul University. I live in Lisle, IL, but have
grown up in Elmwood Park, IL. I am in the college of commerce, but I
am not sure exactly what I want to major in. I have taken this Chicago:
Graffiti class to get more insight about graffiti. I have been curious
about it for a while, and this was the first opportunity I came across.
The things I have enjoyed most about this class have been the service
site I have completed my service hours at, and the excursions |
Julie |
My name is Julie Ann Gudewicz
and I am from a small northern-Chicago suburb called Grayslake. I went
to Grayslake Community High School and now attend Depaul University.
My intended major here at Depaul is a double in Honors Accounting and
Business Management. My hobbies include shopping, decorating, and, above
all, napping. College has really been a wonderful experience so far;
it is far better than what I imagined it to be. I miss my boyfriend
Matt, my best friend Shannon and my girl posse (Marisa, Amanda, Laura,
Jamie, and Sabrina) but other than that, it’s been great. This
class was very informative about graffiti and now I know things that
I didn't know existed! Hope you enjoyed the site! |
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John
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I, John Kuhlman, am a freshman
attending Depaul University. I am in the school of Liberal Arts and
Sciences, but I am going to trasnfer to the school of Commerce. I am
a Leo, and enjoy listening to music, and going out on the town with
my friends. I am a true Chicago sports fan, always have been and always
will be. I enjoy long walks on the beach, and candle light dinners.
My favorite hobby is gazing into the night sky, identifying the different
constellations. I value my family and friends more than anything in
the world. This class was very interesting. and gave me the oppurtunity
to look at graffiti in a new way. |
Here is a link to our course website